The Pirates of Penzance NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (16)
See it if you want to see a Broadway musical comedy that doesn't get to Broadway
Don't see it if you don't like Gilbert and Sullivan Read more
See it if you like pirates.
Don't see it if you don't like long plays. Read more
See it if Innovative and fun. About 1/4 of the audience sits on stage. The actors improvise extra silliness on top of an already silly show.
Don't see it if You don't like farce. You don't want liberties taken with the original script and music. Immersive/improvised elements are not your thing.
See it if This was certainly different. When you see through the antics, the sight gages and people constantly moving around, it actually was a
Don't see it if fairly traditional rendition. If you can wrap your head around the concept of the spirit of G&S, you will enjoy it. it is a great Read more
See it if I saw tPoP in 2005 at the City Center in Manhattan by the Gilbert&Sullivan Players. BUT this is a funny show no matter who does it. GO C IT!
Don't see it if If U don't like singing pirates, keystone kops, orphans, a diva named Mabel, & the very Model of a Modern Major General? Hal Linden or no-GO
See it if You are a fan of Gilbert & Sullivan and want to see a zany, fun version.This is best enjoyed by those who already know the operetta.
Don't see it if You don't like G&S or have never seen a 'classic' version of Pirates. Warning: NOT for the purists!
See it if you like Gilbert & Sullivan and wish there were more companies performing them. Two hours of clever silliness is much appreciated these days
Don't see it if you're not a fan of brilliant silliness and contrived plots or if under-powered singing will ruin it for you. Read more
See it if you enjoy a very different production of Pirates of Penzance. You will be on stage and close to the action. Very funny and unusual.
Don't see it if you don't like Gilbert and Sullivan or only a traditional interpretation. Read more
Critic Reviews (12)
“This ‘Pirates’ turns out to be the most charmingly relaxed production of a Gilbert and Sullivan work that I’ve come across...An antic exuberance is built into the form and content of Gilbert and Sullivan shows. And the ensemble here, which doubles as its own band, channels that spirit with an infectious blitheness that requires no footnotes....You are sure to feel a joyful complicity with what’s occurring onstage."
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"This performance is exhilarating...The adaptation hits all of the major plot points and musical moments while seamlessly infusing witty pop culture references. Director Sean Graney has adapted and staged the piece with abandon...The actors are a tight musical and vocal ensemble with effusive energy...It is one thing to watch such a well-executed show, it is quite another delightful thing to participate in it so closely. It is the perfect antidote to cold winter days."
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"It's hard not to have big-time fun at this carnival of a 'Pirates,' which lands in one of rare but sweet spots where a fairly outlandish off-Loop conceit meshes deliciously with the original material...The show is cast with exuberant young actors and musicians whose singing ranges from passable to pretty decent...I think this truly terrific conception would be yet funnier with a full compliment of operetta-trained singers."
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"A frothy atmospheric production complete with beach balls, picnic tables, and plastic wading pools. The atmosphere is true to the playful spirit of the original show, while adding some lovingly ridiculous elements of the group's own devising...The real fun here comes from the spirited and arch direction by Sean Graney, and the lovingly over-the-top performances...'Pirates' doesn't try to be anything beyond what it is, which is a rollicking good time."
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"Despite the aura of 'Gidget Goes Hawaiian' that surrounds the show and the profusion of cute props like rubber duckies and ukeleles, the ensemble can be forgiven because they and the artistic staff have the smarts not to mess with the original score and lyrics...Graney arranges the mayhem with a sure touch, keeping the musical values of the songs intact...It’s not always necessary to be enlightened by theater. Sometimes it’s more than enough to have a rollicking good time."
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"You might say this is a very spunky model of a postmodern musical...A giddy journey through immersive theater that turns the Gilbert and Sullivan chestnut into an outrageous evening of frisky song and silliness...The cheekiest aspect of Sean Graney’s staging is how cleverly he plays fast and loose with the somewhat stodgy Gilbert and Sullivan canon...A holiday show for all seasons that actually seems joyous instead of merely entertaining."
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"Thoroughly enjoyable, filled with audience participation and overflowing with contemporary references...More madness, mayhem and musical magic occurs in this tropical isle-inspired, lightning-paced production than audiences can even comprehend...The G&S purist may find this uniquely inventive production not to his liking. The majority of theatergoers will revel in the manic fun and unexpected frivolity and musicality Graney has brought to the theatre."
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"One wild ride of a show...This show practically leapt off of the immersive stage. The energy level of the cast stayed at such an intensity, it was almost too much to take in...I don’t want to spoil the frantic fun of the entire experience by exposing their little flourishes and embellishments, but this is a savvy and sharp group of comic actor/singer/musicians; under Graney’s direction, they not only get the G & S bits right, they add some hilarious touches."
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